Mike Goes To Movies

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020) My expectations going into Birds of Prey was pretty close to ground-zero - something that I am continuing to realize is a good thing. After a string of okay-to-horrendous recent DC films (*cough* Batman v Superman *cough* Justice League *coughcoughcough* Suicide Squad), my excitement for this film was as tepid as the water dripping from my ever-broken kitchen sink tap. It was a joyful surprise then to find myself (for the most part) quite entertained watching Birds of Prey last week.  Like Birds of Prey the movie, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), at the start of this film has smartly broken away from any connection she might have from Suicide Squad and has now broken up with Mr. J (that's the Joker, to all you hopeless non-nerds). And so, Harley tries to strike out on her own not knowing that she very quickly will be running-in with local mobster Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor). Harley soon finds out that ...

Joker: Discussing Its Laughable Reception Alright! So, Joker is finally out and I assume most everyone who is going to go out and see the film has by now done so. Like our titular character, this post is going to be a little all over the place with random thoughts, anecdotes and discussion that have popped into my head since seeing the film about one month ago. Obviously, SPOILERS AHEAD. One thing that I think everyone can agree upon (even most of the assholes that have condemned the film) is Joaquin's astounding performance. Though there are many elements of his manifestation that can be detailed and applauded, there is one in particular that, quite literally, stuck in my head for many days after seeing the film. That is - the laugh. Joker's laugh is one of his most important attributes and each actor who has portrayed Joker has put a unique spin on it. (Hamill and Ledger's are two of my personal favourites.) However, Joaquin (along with Philips and Silver) put a who...

TIFF: Joker (2019) Part of the magic of the Batman and the Joker is the fluidity we have seen throughout the years in their character and genre of story. From the 1960's tv show, to the Burton era, to the various animated shows, to the Nolan trilogy, each variation has had its highly-unique and also successful take on these legendary characters. With regards to Joker himself, I don't think I'd be wrong to say that many of us did not think a new spin on the character could ever reach the heights of Heath Ledger's portrayal in The Dark Knight (this is even coming from me who has read plentiful intriguing Joker stories with  potential for adaptation). And yet, here we are today, with Todd Phillip's "Joker" and I do say with confidence - it is a game-changer. Joker is an absolutely incredible film that plays tribute not only to classic Batman stories but also, astoundingly, to some of director, Martin Scorsese's, classics. It is like the love child of...